Questions on Blazer .44 Special HP's.

[brucev]

Recently bought a 21-4 .44 Special Thunder Ranch revolver. Shot it with 240 gr. Win. Cowboy Action Loads... POI was a little high over POA at 25 yds. Group very well centered for windage. Last Monday found some CCI Blazer 200 gr. .44 Special ammo at Academy. Bought a box to try out. If it hits a smidgen lower I figure it will be excellent for use until I can get set up to start reloading. Anyone know what bullet CCI uses? Is this the Speer Gold Dot? Haven't used Blazer ammo in many, many years. It worked well when shooting .45ACP is 1911's. Any problems/concerns with this type ammo in a revolver. The 21-4 has not been altered... factory front sight blade is normal height. Thanks Sincerely.

 

[Dragon88]

This is what you have? If so then yes it's a Gold Dot, as the site and box say.

CCI Blazer Ammunition 44 Special 200 Grain Speer Gold Dot Jacketed Hollow Point Box of 50 - MidwayUSA

 

[brucev]

The package is identical to what is in the link, except for the number on the end of the box. The number on my box is 3556. On the bottom of the box it reads 76683 03556 1. I have no experience with Gold Dot bullets. Looking a cartridge in good light, I see a "gold" dot in the bottom of the hollow pointed bullet. I will use this ammo if or if not it is loaded with GD bullets. Just curious. Sincerely.

 

[Dragon88]

As long as the box says GDHP that is most definitely a Gold Dot. It is a good bullet, actually considered the best Self defense bullet by some. It is softer than others and yields excellent expansion. However, it is still a bonded bullet, so it will hold together and retain most of it's weight passing through a medium.

 

[andre73]

Test

This...

YouTube - 44 Special - CCI Blazer 200 Gr. Gold Dot - Ammo Test

Andre'

 

[Dragon88]

Any HP is going to exhibit picture perfect expansion when shot into open water like that. Try shooting through multiple layers of denim into wet-pack or gelatin.

 

[brucev]

I did a Bible study at a nursing home and then headed out to the farm of a church member to return a chain saw. On the passenger seat was my 21-4 along with a bit of a box of 240 gr. lead flat nose Win. Cowboy Action Loads and a full box of the Blazer 200 gr. JHP ammo. I was in a hurry so I didn't get to do a real "scientific" test. I just put up a cardboard box and paced of 10 long steps. Firing the Winchester load I fired a nice 6 shot group of slightly less than one inch. Firing the Blazer ammo I shot less than 2 inches for the same 6 shots. It has a lot more power than the Winchester load. I set out 6 milk jugs full of water. Firing at 10 yards, I hit them firing as fast as I could work the trigger. The effect on the jugs was impressive. I know this means nothing to anyone else, but I enjoyed it. I put six rounds into a harrow blade at 15 yds. I was amazed to find that one of the fired bullets hit the blade and fell down on the ground. It was a perfect copper base with the lead spread out into a neat flat plate. I stopped firing when I saw one of those little lead flying saucers spin by my left side. I'll have to set the plate out farther for shooting with jacketed ammo. With the lead loads, there are not problems. I did note that the gun is perfectly zeroed for windage and elevation using the Winchester load. Earlier I had found it to shoot a little high. I think I just simply needed to learn how to properly grip the revolver. With lead and jacket loads, the POI was virtually at POA. The jacketed load hit maybe 1 inch lower, not enough to be of any real concern. I am thrilled with this 21! I think once I get some dies, etc., I'll put together some 240 gr. hard-cast lead bullet loads and see what this revolver will do!